ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Special Service and Features
Surveys of National Statistical office in the month of November 2022 in Ernakulam District
Kochi, November 17, 2022
The National Statistical Office , Field Operations Division  under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation  conducts various field surveys for the publication of official statistics. The field officials of National Statistical Office, Kochi SRO are assigned to conduct these surveys across the District of Ernakulam.
The 79th round of the Socio-Economic Survey that focuses on Sustainable Development Goals indicators of Global Indices as well as public awareness about the AYUSH System will be conducted in Kochi MC, , Pampakkuda and Moothakoonam
Annual Survey on Unincorporated Sector Enterprises  which will be targeting to encapsulate the economic and operational characteristics of unincorporated non-agricultural establishments in manufacturing, trade and other services sector. This survey will be conducted in urban areas of Chendamangalam, Chowwara, , Amballur and , rural areas of Mookkannoor ward 5, Manjalloor ward 4 and 12, Thirumarady ward 4, Pallippuram ward 4, Vengola ward 18 of Eranakulam district.
The Periodic Labour Force Survey  with objectives to measure the dynamics in labour force participation and employment status, would be actively pursued in urban areas of Kochi MC and Puthencruz and rural areas of Arakuzha ward 1, Thuravoor ward 8, Thiruvaniyoor ward 10
For routine conduct of sample surveys, the Urban Frame Survey  is conducted to form the geographical frame of a specific location, through satellite mapping via a government authorized mobile app. This survey will be conducted in Kochi MC, Kumbalangy, Eloor, Chendamangalam, Vadakkumbhagam, Kizhakkubhagam, Muvattupuzha and Koovapady
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Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President Greets People on Janmashtami
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami. In a message, he said that the eternal message of performing our duties with sincerity without attachment to the results bestowed by Lord Krishna in the 'Bhagwad Gita' has been a source of inspiration for entire humanity. Let us all resolve to perform our duties and seek the path of righteousness, he added.
Following is the text of Vice President’s message:
“I convey my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami.
Celebrated across the country with traditional fervor and enthusiasm, Janmashtami reminds us of the divine life of Lord Krishna. The eternal message of performing our duties with sincerity without attachment to the results bestowed by Lord Krishna in the 'Bhagwad Gita' has been a source of inspiration for entire humanity.
On this auspicious day, let us all resolve to perform our duties and seek the path of righteousness. May this Janmashtami bring peace, amity, harmony and prosperity in our country.”
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Use of Plastic Waste in Road Construction
To encourage use of waste plastic on National Highways , Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued guidelines for its use within 50 km periphery of urban areas having population of more than five lakh. The guidelines also stipulate taking up of a stretch of at least 10 km as pilot project for assessment of its performance. Moreover, the Government has decided that in 2019-20 the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign  will focus on plastic waste management as main theme, wherein instructions have been issued for collection and re-use of waste plastic. This includes awareness generation, recycling, effective disposal of collected plastic waste including its usage in road construction. Waste plastic has already been utilised in wearing course of about 50 km of NH stretches. Indian Roads Congress  has formulated IRC SP: 98:2013 “Guidelines for the use of Waste Plastic in Hot Bituminous Mixes  in Wearing Courses” based on laboratory as well as field performance studies/investigations carried out in India. As per IRC SP: 98: 2013, plastic waste is used up to 8 percent by weight of bitumen in the bituminous wearing course and as per mix design requirement.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 
Cabinet approves revival of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited
Revival package of Rs.77.45 crore 
Move will help ensuring remunerative price to the farmers of North Eastern Region for their products
Direct or indirect employment for about 33,000 persons
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs , chaired by the Prime Minister has approved a revival package of Rs.77.45 crore  for revival of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited , a central Public Section Enterprises under the administrative control of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Regional .
Benefits:
With the implementation of the revival package, remunerative price to the farmers of NER of their products will be ensured.
Revival package will help NERAMAC to implement various innovative plans namely providing better farming facilities, training to farmers in clusters, organic seeds and fertilizer, post harvesting facilities in order to promote the products of NE farmers in the world market through participation in events, registration of GI products etc.
Revenue of the Corporation will increase and overheads will reduce as a result of VRS and other cost cutting measures and the Corporation will start making profits on sustained basis and its dependency on GoI loan will cease.
Employment generation potential:
After the implementation of revival of NERAMAC, employment will be generated both directly and indirectly in farming sector, projects and events management sector, logistics, sorting and grading and value addition, entrepreneurship and marketing. It is expected that employment will be generated for about 33,000 persons.
Targets:
Revival package will help NERAMAC to implement various innovative plans namely providing better farming facilities, training to farmers in clusters, organic seeds and fertilizer, post harvesting facilities in order to promote the products of NE farmers in the world market through participation in events, registration of GI  products etc., promoting FPOs and other growers. Apart from this, focusing in bamboo plantation and bee-keeping, sales through e-commerce taking advantage of other Government of India schemes such as PM Kisan SAMPADA Yojana and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund under AatmaNirbhar Bharat, Krishi Udaan and Kisan Rail, tie-up with farmers and entrepreneurs who are involved in high value organic crops, starting retail outlets under franchise concept under its own brands like “NE Fresh” and “ONE”  and through NAFED, TRIFED etc. is also in the pipeline.
Implementation of revival package will generate employment both directly and indirectly in farming sector, projects and events management sector, logistics, sorting & grading and value addition, entrepreneurship and marketing.
GI tagging and marketing of Organic Products of NER in other parts of the country as well as outside the country, will enhance the export of these products which will improve the economic status of NER farmers.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari highlights need to engage world class project management consultancy organisations to improve administration of Local self-government bodies
Technology should be used to financially empower Local self government bodies : Shri Nitin Gadkari
Innovation, entrepreneurship, science and technology, Research skills and good practices constitute knowledge and turning knowledge into wealth is the future of the country, said Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari while addressing the convocation ceremony of All India Institute of Local Self Government held in Mumbai today.
President of All India Institute of Local Self Governance Ranjit Chavan, Director General Dr. Jayaraj Phatak, Vice President Rajkishore Modi, members of the governing body of the organization Vijay Sane, Govind Swaroop, Ravi Guru, Utkarsha Kavali, Sneha Palanitkar were present on this occasion.
Minister expressed the belief that the students graduating today will work for the country and society through their respective fields by using the knowledge they have obtained. He said that it is necessary to combine technology and education as technology is constantly changing all over the world.
Shri Gadkari said that to make the projects of Local self government bodies qualitatively better, it is high time we engaged the Project Management Consultancy Organizations of world-class standard, and for that, technical parameters should be given more weightage than financial qualifications. He expressed the opinion that unless this happens, there will be little improvement in the administration of municipal bodies. Minister said that in order to improve the performance of the municipalities, it is equally necessary to do performance audit along with the financial audit.
Minister said that there is a need for financial empowerment of the local self-governing bodies, especially the municipal corporations, by using technology. Technology can be utilised to provide services like road construction, waste management, water treatment, and 24-hour water supply in the best way. This will not only save money but will also earn revenue. As an example Minister said that by making public transport fully electric, a lot of money will be saved.
“Local self-government bodies should not rely only on government grants for projects, but should also adopt the option of working through public private sector partnership. There is a huge opportunity for that in every field. Public private sector partnership in solid and liquid waste management can generate an economy of Rs 5 lakh crore, minister added.” In this context, Gadkari gave examples of projects implemented in Mathura and Nagpur Municipal Corporation for sewage management.
The minister also said that making bio-ethanol from crop residue will not only create fuel but will also curb pollution due to burning crop residues.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari says six laning of Bengaluru Nidaghatta Section of NH-275 is progressing ahead with lots of promises.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has said New India of 21st Century is focused on building the best infrastructure facilities in the world. In a series of tweets he said keeping it in mind, the project for Six laning of Bengaluru Nidaghatta Section of NH-275 is progressing ahead with lots of promises.
Shri Gadkari said the Bangalore to Nidagatta section is the part of NH-275 which starts from the junction Near Panchamukhi Temple junction in Bangalore south zone and ends before Nidagatta. This road is a crucial stretch to tourism & economy as it passes through towns of Bidadi, Channapatana, Ramanagara, having the largest market for silk cocoons in Asia and provides access to Country’s only vulture sanctuary and will be connecting Srirangapatna, Mysore, Ooty, Kerala & Coorg,he added.
The Minister said once the project is completed, the present travel time of 3 hours shall be reduced to 90 mins that will bring down fuel consumption & carbon footprint. He said special care has been taken on the project with road safety enhancements like eliminating the at-grade Junctions and providing Vehicular Underpasses/ Overpasses to nullify the accidents/conflicts.
Shri Gadkari informed the 6 bypasses in the stretch are expected to reduce the traffic congestion and ensure health, environment & road safety of towns like Bidadi, Ramnagara, Channarayapatna, Maddur, Mandya and Srirangapatna for an aggregate length of 51.5km.
He said delivering on the promise of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', Team MoRTH under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is working round the clock to complete many such dynamic projects in all the corners of the country and bring prosperity to the people.
MJPS
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Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Asian Development Bank has prepared an Action Plan forInfrastructure Creation to Increase the Use of Coastal Shipping in India: Shri Mansukh Mandaviya
In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today the Minister of State for Shipping  and Chemical & Fertilizers Shri Mansukh Mandaviya informed that an Action Plan for Coastal Shipping has been prepared by the Asian Development Bank  in September, 2019. This action plan includes recommendations with respect to infrastructure creation required to increase the use of coastal shipping in India.
The Minister informed that the Master Planning of 12 Major Ports has been carried out and 95 capacity expansion and port modernisation projects have been identified. Major ports capacity has been re-rated with respect to global benchmarks as per berthing policy 2016 and effective capacity has increased by 293 MTPA after re-rating. Global benchmarks have been adopted to improve the efficiency and productivity for major ports and 116 initiatives have been identified to unlock 100 MTPA of capacity at major ports.
The Minister said that the Ministry of Shipping has approved 67 projects  under SagarmalaProgramme for financial assistance of Rs. 1,491 Crore for improving port infrastructure and port connectivity.
He said, an analysis of nation-wide end-to-end logistics flows of all key commodities  at ports was carried out based on which the National Perspective Plan  for the SagarmalaProgramme was prepared in April 2016. As a part of the NPP, a roadmap is developed for increasing Indian port capacity to 3300+ MTPA by 2025.
Ministry of Defence
FOC-in-C  visits Forward Operating Base during his maiden visit to Gujarat Naval Area
Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command visited Gujarat Naval Area from 25 - 27 Mar 21. He was received by Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat Naval Area in Porbandar and presented with a Guard of Honour.
During his maiden visit the Admiral also visited the Forward Operating Base  at Okha where he was briefed about the security situation and measures in place to support the deployed units. He interacted with officers and sailors under the aegis of HQ Gujarat Daman & Diu .
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles deaths in many districts of Bihar due to storm and lightening strike incidents
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the deaths due to storm and lightening strike incidents in many districts of Bihar. He said local administration is undertaking rescue work diligently.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"बिहार के कई जिलों में आंधी एवं बिजली गिरने की घटनाओं में कई लोगों की मृत्यु से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है। ईश्वर शोक-संतप्त परिवारों को इस अपार दुख को सहने की शक्ति दे। राज्य सरकार की देखरेख में स्थानीय प्रशासन राहत और बचाव कार्य में तत्परता से जुटा है।"
Ministry of Jal Shakti
HELI BORNE SSURVEY TECHNOLOGY
Central Ground Water Board  has taken up Heli-borne survey for generation of aquifer related information and its management in certain Arid/Semi-Arid areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana under Ground Water Management & Regulation scheme, a Central Sector Scheme, with an estimated cost of Rs 54.00 Cr and likely date of completion as 31 March 2022.
CGWB has identified around 69875 Sq KM, Semi Arid/Arid areas of Sikar, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Pali & Jalore Districts of Rajasthan. Further, Dausa district is not included in the instant Survey plan. The survey work is likely to be completed by 31 March 2022.
At present the work on data acquisition is in progress and the report will be finalized thereafter.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
SUCCESSFUL FIRING OF EXTENDED RANGE VERSION OF BRAHMOS AIR LAUNCHED MISSILE FROM SU-30 MKI AIRCRAFT
India, today successfully fired the Extended Range Version of BrahMos Air Launched missile from Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft. The launch from the aircraft was as planned and the missile achieved a direct hit on the designated target in the Bay of Bengal region.
It was the first launch of Extended Range version of BrahMos missile from Su-30MKI aircraft. With this, the IAF has achieved the capability to carry out precision strikes from Su-30MKI aircraft against a land/ sea target over very long ranges. The dedicated and synergetic efforts of the IAF, Indian Navy, DRDO, BAPL and HAL have proven the capability of the nation to achieve this feat. The extended range capability of the missile coupled with the high performance of the Su-30MKI aircraft gives the IAF a strategic reach and allows it to dominate the future battle fields.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
NCCF and NAFED to sell tomatoes at retail price of Rs 40 per kg from 20th August 
The Department of Consumer Affairs has directed NCCF and NAFED to sell tomatoes at retail price of Rs.40/- per kg from 20th August, 2023 in view of the continued decline in tomato prices in the wholesale and retail markets.
The retail sale of tomatoes in Delhi-NCR had started from 14th July, 2023. Till date, over 15 lakh kg of tomato had been procured by the two agencies which are being continuously disposed of to the retail consumers in major consumption centres in the country. These locations includes Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan , Uttar Pradesh  and Bihar .
The retail price of tomatoes procured by NCCF and NAFED was initially fixed at Rs.90/- per kg which had been successively reduced in line with the decline in prices in order to ensure benefits to the consumers. The last downward revision of the retail price to Rs.50/- per kg was on 15.08.2023, which now stands further reduced to Rs.40/- per kg w.e.f. 20.08.2023.
It may be recalled that on the direction of Department of Consumer Affairs, NCCF and NAFED had commenced the procurement of tomato from mandis in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra for simultaneous disposal in major consumption centres where retails prices have recorded maximum increase in last one month.
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Ministry of Women and Child Development
Calls received by the child helpline have increased three-fold during the last four years
Calls received by the child helpline number during the last four years have increased more than three-fold. CHILDLINE  had answered 38,22,081 calls in the year 2013-14 which increased to 1,15,59,750 calls in the year 2017-18.
Out of all the calls, 7,09,202 calls required direct intervention in the form of medical help, shelter, restoration, protection from abuse, sponsorship etc. CHILDLINE responds to all the calls received. Child helpline takes protective measures as per the provisions of Juvenile Justice  Act, 2015. The total number of calls received by the child helpline during 2017-18 is 1,15,59,750. As per need of the child, assistance is provided with support of stakeholders. Out of these, direct intervention was provided in 218266 cases, where appropriate immediate help was given to children and they were connected to service delivery set up under the relevant law.
The above Information was given by Minister of State for Women and Child Development, DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR in reply to an Unstarred Question in the Lok Sabha, today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India continues to report Sustained Decline in daily New cases; 16,311 new cases in the last 24 hours
Daily Fatalities below 170 after 229 days
India has been registering declining daily new cases since many days continuously. 16,311 New Cases were recorded in the last 24 hours.
India’s daily new fatalities have also declined substantially.
Less than 170 daily deaths were recorded after 229 days. Declining new cases and high rate of recovery have in tandem resulted in continuous fall in the country’s active caseload on a sustained basis.
India’s total Active Caseload has fallen to 2.25 lakh  today. The present active caseload consists of just 2.13%of India’s Total Positive Cases.
16,959 cases have recovered and discharged in the last 24hours. This has led to a net decline of 809 from the total active caseload.
The total recovered cases stand at 10,092,909. The gap between Recovered Cases and Active Cases, that is steadily increasing, is nearing 99 lakhs and presently stands at 98,70,383.
The Recovery Rate is also improved to 96.43% today. This is amongst the highest the world over.
78.56% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs.
Kerala has reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 4,659 newly recovered cases. 2,302 people recovered in Maharashtra followed by 962 in Chhattisgarh.
80.25% of the new cases are concentrated in 9 States and UTs.
Kerala has also reported the highest daily new cases at 4,545. It is followed by Maharashtra with 3,558new cases.
161case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours.
Six States/UTs account for 69.57% of the daily deaths.
Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties . Kerala and West Bengal follow with 23 and 19 daily deaths, respectively.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi speaks on telephone with His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke on telephone today with His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.
President Putin briefed Prime Minister about the recent developments regarding Ukraine. Prime Minister reiterated his long-standing conviction that the differences between Russia and the NATO group can only be resolved through honest and sincere dialogue. Prime Minister appealed for an immediate cessation of violence, and called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue.
Prime Minister also sensitised the Russian President about India's concerns regarding the safety of the Indian citizens in Ukraine, especially students, and conveyed that India attaches the highest priority to their safe exit and return to India.
The leaders agreed that their officials and diplomatic teams would continue to maintain regular contacts on issues of topical interest.